Embalming process



Sept- 22, 1942 A. J. SALLE 2,296,539

EMBALMING PROCESS Filed Feb. 18, 1941 INVENTOR.- ANTHONY rl' SALLE,

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 22, 1942 UNITED STATES; saveur orrlcs EMBALMING PROCESS Anthony J. Salle, Los Angeles, Calif. Application February 18, 1941, Serial No. 379,393

7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the embalming or preservation of bodies.

Ordinary embalming processes usually entail removing blood from the vascular system and injecting thereinto a preservative or disinfectant solution commonly termed embalming fluid. Removal of blood from the body and injection of embalming fluid takes considerable time and the process often presents many difficulties especially where the body has been dead for some time. It is also true that unless the operations are carefully and skillfully performed the removal of the blood is apt to be an unclean procedure. It therefore is apparent that the ordinary embalming process has many disadvantages.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a simple, new and improved process for preserving human and animal bodies which does not have the disadvantages of the ordinary process. In this connection it is a particular object to provide a clean embalrning process which does not entail removal of blood from the vascular system nor the introduction thereinto of embalming fluids.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a process which requires only a minimum of handling of the body and which may be performed within only a relatively short time.

It is a further object to provide an embalming process which readily permits of the disinfection of the surface of the body in cases where contagious or infectious disease has been present in order to render the body safe for handling and of no danger to persons who may be in proximity to it.

These and other objects will be apparent from the drawing and the following description. Referring to the drawing, which is for illustrative purposes only;

Fig. 1 is an elevation partly in section of apparatus suitable for carrying out the process, the View being in part diagrammatic;

Fig. 2 is a cross section on line 2--2 of the tank of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of an embalming fluid container and tubes used in connection with the process.

More particularly describing the invention the process comprises in general the placing of embalming uid of any suitable type in certain body I' cavities and regions after gas or air has been removed from such cavities and regions. In the process air and gas are removed from the body by subjecting the body generally and certain parts particularly of the interior of the body to vacuum, f1'

subsequently embalming fluid is forced under pressure into the esophagus, stomach, lungs and oral cavities while the body is maintained under a vacuum, and subsequently the body is returned to normal atmospheric pressure, thereby causing embalming fluid to be forced into certain body cavities and regions as will be explained in detail below.

In order to more adequately describe the invention reference is made to the drawing which illustrates one form of apparatus suitable for use in carrying out the process. Reference numeral II generally indicates a tank which may be mounted in any suitable manner as upon supports I2. The tank is provided with an openable end closure or door I3 which when closed is adapted to provide a fluid tight chamber I4 within the tank Il and the tank is accordingly provided with means forming ledges I6 inside of the tank to act as a guide or trackway for supporting an elongate tray I'I provided with wheels or rollers I8. Preferably this tray is perforated as indicated in Fig. 2, however, any suitable tray may be used which is sufficiently strong to support a body.

In the embalming process the body is placed upon the tray I'I at a point outside of the tank. Although it is not an essential step in the process, it is desirable to cover the body with a film of a suitable dilute embalming iiuid which may be sprayed onto the body or otherwise applied.

A supply of embalming fluid 2B is provided in a container 2| which is preferably placed on the tray I'I as showny in Fig. 1. Any suitable preservative or disinfectant embalming solution may be utilized. Tubes 22 are then provided to establish communication between the embalming fluid 2li and certain cavities and regions of the body. Preferably these tubes are made in three sections and comprise a rigid portion 23 which may be formed of glass or metal adapted to extend into the embalming fluid. Any suitable means may be provided as desired for detachably securing the parts 23 to the container 2| so as to maintain them upright with their lower ends adjacent the bottom of the container. Mounted on each of the parts 23 is a flexible tube 24 which may be made of rubber or any other suitable material. A hypodermic-like needle 25 is provided at the end of each of the flexible tubes 24. Preferably these needles are provided with openings 25 and 26' in addition to the ordinary opening 21 at the end of the needle. The needles, of course, are considerably larger in diameter than the ordinary common hypodermic needle. A plurality of the tubes 22 are provided and the needles 25 are inserted into the body at the following places: preferably between the third and fourth ribs on the right side into the thoracic cavity, preferably between the third and fourth ribs on the'left side into the thoracic cavity, into the right groins into the left groin, into the epigastric region through the peritoneal membrane, into the umbilical region through the peritoneal membrane, and into the hypogastric region through the peritoneal membrane. The tubes should be inserted carefully into the latter three regions to avoid penetration of the intestines. It is contemplated that it may not be essential to provide the tubes to the groin.

It is desirable to provide another tube (not shown in the drawing) communicating withthe embalming fluid 20 and Withth'e large intestine. This tube may be provided with any suitable nozzle for insertion into the rectum. Preferably the nozzle should have Aanexternal enlargement so that it Will be held in the rectum untilmanually removed.

After this operation has been completed the body, tray ,and container V2II Withvthe associated tubes are run into the -tank 'I I. The tank is provided With a flexible tube 30 -which communicates with a container 3| mounted exteriorly of the tank LI I. A conduit 32, with a valve 33 controls the communication between the container and -tube '30. This container -3l is adapted to contain a supply of embalminglluid and is'preferably open rto' atmospheric pressure. After the body has been-placedwithin tank 'II the tube 30 is positionedso that the end is inf communication with the esophagus. After `this operation :has been completed ythe door I3 of thetank is closed and securedfso as to provide a fluid-tight chamber. With thevalve 33 'infclosed position the air is substantially exhausted from the-interior of the tank I'I by means of any suitable vacuum pump diagrammatically indicated at 34 Aand associated pipe *35 connecting with the interior yof the tank I I. After a vacuum 'has .been'produced in the tank to approximately 29 inches of'vacuum vthe pump is stopped andthe vacuum condition maintained. .During the process Vof exhausting the air Yfrom within'the tank, air Aand gas is withdrawn from the body -through the natural openings of thebody and in addition throughrthe tubes leading vvfrom the particular Abody regions with which the tubes communicate.

While the vacuum condition is 'maintained valve 33 is opened to permit ow of embalming fluid from 'the tank 3| through tube 3Q to the esophagus to ll the stomach, lungs and connected passages of 'the body. This operation may be observed through-a :suitable window in the tank such 4as the window 3.1. 'When'the passages are full of embalming viluidthe valve 33 is closed. Any overflow of embalming fluid Will run-down and through the tray SI'I to the bottom of 'the tank II where it may be removed after the 'embalming process 'has 'been completed through a suitable valved drain'SB.

After valve 33 has been closed a`ir'fis admitted to the interior of the tank I-v I v-thereby forcing embalming fluid from the container '2| through tubes 22 into the regions of the-body with which said tubes are in communication. In this connection it is pointed out that the tubes 22 and the tube leading to the large intestine provide the only communicating passage Ibetween the particular cavities and regions of the body and the exterior thereof and Ithat in returning the atmosphere within the tank II to normal pressure, the pressure thus naturally forces embalming fluid through the tubes and into the evacuated body cavities and regions.

If desirable the vacuum pump 34 may also be adapted to force air under pressure into the tank II and in some instances it may be desirable to subject the body and embalming fluid to a slight pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure. The interior of the tank may then be returned to normal pressure and the body removed.

In some instances it may be desirable to guard against extrusion of embalming fluid through the openings made by the insertion of the tubes into the body. This can be done by covering the openings with V.adhesive tape or the like. However, it is contemplated that this procedure will not ordinarily be necessary.

Where the body has been subjected to contagious ory infectious diseases the body may be disinfected either-before or during the embalming process by subjecting it to a :suitable gas While within the tank I I.

Although the invention :has been 'particularly shown and described, it is vvcontemplated that various vchanges and modifications can be made Within the scope .of the 'invention and it :is in'- tended to cover such changes as come within the claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The process lof embalming `a body which comprises subjecting the body generally to a vacuum and simultaneously directly `subjecting the interior of certain cavities lthereof to a vacuum, introducing embalming fluid into the esophagus, lungs and stomach while maintaining said body under a vacuum,andsubsequently returning said body to normal atmospheric pressure and simultaneously injecting `embalming lluid into said certain cavities.

2. The process of embalming a .body which comprises subjecting the body generally to a vacuum and simultaneously evacuating gas from the thoracic cavity on the right and left sides,

r the apigastric region, andthe hypogastric region by ,directly subjecting Ysaid cavities andregions to vacuum; introducing embalming fluid into the esophagus, lungs, andY stomach while maintaining said body under a vacuum; and subsequently returning said body to normal atmospheric pressure and `simultaneously injecting embalming iluid into 'said thoracic, epigastricy and hypogastric regions.

3. The process of embalming a body Whichincludes the steps of inserting one end of each :of a plurality of tubes in embalming fluid and the other ends of the vtubes respectively'within certain cavities and regions in the body, subjecting the body and embalming fluid to a vacuum whereby gas is withdrawn through the tubes from said cavities andzregions-through said tubes, and returning the body'to atmospheric pressure whereby the pressure will cause the embalming fluid to flow through said tubes into said 'cavities and regions.

4. The process of embalming a body vwhich comprises inserting a plurality of tubes into ithe body to position the inner ends of said tubes within certain cavities and regions randlocating the outer ends of said tubes in communication with embalming fluid, placing another tube with its inner end positioned for communication with the .esophague of the body and with its fouterend in communication with embalming fluid ,-sub'ject to atmospheric pressure,;subje cting the ybodyrand said first mentioned embalming fluid to a Vacuum, introducing embalming uid through said last mentioned tube into the esophagus and said certain body cavities and regions connecting therewith while maintaining said body under vacuum, and returning the body to atmospheric pressure whereby fluid from said rst mentioned embalming uid is forced through said tubes into said body.

5. The process of embalming a body which comprises inserting a plurality of tubes into the body to position the inner ends of said tubes within body cavities and locating the outer ends of said tubes in embalming fluid, placing another tube with its inner end positioned for communication with the esophagus of the body and with its outer end in communication with embalming fluid subject to atmospheric pressure, subjecting the body to a vacuum, introducing embalming fluid through said last mentioned tube into the esophagus and body cavities connected therewith while mantaining said body under vacuum, subjecting the body to a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure whereby uid from said first mentioned embalming fluid is forced through said tubes into said body.

6. The process of embalming a body which includes the steps of arranging tubes so that one end of each tube communicates directly with embalming fluid; inserting the other ends of said tubes respectively into the thoracic cavity on the right side, the thoracic cavity on the left side, through the peritoneal membrane into the epigastric region, and through the peritoneal membrane into the hypogastric region subjecting the body and said embalming fluid to a substantial vacuum whereby gas is withdrawn from said body through said tubes; and subsequently returning said body and embalming fluid to atmospheric pressure whereby said embalming fluid is forced into said body through said tubes by the pressure differential existing at opposite ends of said tubes.

'7. The process of embalming a body which comprises the steps of arranging tubes so that one end of each tube communicates directly with embalming uid; inserting the other ends of said tubes respectively into the thoracic cavity on the right side, the thoracic cavity on the left side, the right groin, the left groin, through the peritoneal membrane into the epigastric region, through the peritoneal membrane into the umbilical region, and through the peritoneal membrane into the hypogastric region; placing another tube communicating with embalming lluid at one end and positioning its other end for communication with the esophagus of the body; subjecting the body and said first mentioned embalming ud to a substantial vacuum whereby gas is withdrawn from said body through said tubes; admitting embalming uid under pressure to said body and through the tube communicating with the esophagus thereof; and subsequently returning said body and rst mentioned embalming fluid to atmospheric pressure whereby said embalming fluid is forced into said body through said tubes by the pressure differential existing at opposite ends of the tubes.

ANTHONY J. SALLE. 

